By Guy Swartz
AI isn’t just hype—it’s already transforming the way creative teams work. In a recent independent study, I interviewed 16 professionals across web design, graphic design, SEO strategy, and marketing strategy to uncover how AI is making real, measurable impact on daily workflows.
Whether you're a team leader looking to optimize productivity or an individual contributor aiming to save time and think more strategically, these role-specific findings offer a practical lens into what’s working—and where the biggest opportunities still lie.
Web Designers: From Wireframes to Workflow Wins
For many web designers, too much time is lost to repetitive production tasks: image sourcing, wireframing, and tracking project time. In fact, 75% of those interviewed said these low-value tasks eat into their creative hours.
What’s Changing:
AI tools like Midjourney and Adobe Firefly are starting to help with layout inspiration and image generation.
Time tracking and wireframe automation tools are being explored, though not yet widely adopted.
Big Opportunity:
Template creation and visual exploration are prime for AI enhancement. The key is moving these tools into daily use—not just experimentation.
Graphic Designers: Formatting vs. Free Thinking
Presentation decks and image editing tasks dominate the day for many graphic designers. Seventy percent said these chores take too much time, and while 60% have dabbled with AI tools, only 40% are using them regularly.
What’s Working:
Beautiful.ai and Tome are helping speed up deck creation.
Firefly is aiding in image manipulation and quick concept visualization.
Big Opportunity:
Use AI for concept generation in the early design phase to boost ideation quality and speed without sacrificing originality.
SEO Strategists: Less Manual Mapping, More Strategy
SEO may be data-heavy, but it doesn’t have to be soul-crushing. Eighty percent of strategists noted that keyword mapping and brief creation are huge time sinks.
What’s Working:
AI tools like Surfer, Jasper, and ChatGPT are helping with keyword clustering, content outlines, and repetitive draft writing.
Content audits are being partially automated using AI-based structure analysis.
Big Opportunity:
Let AI handle the first draft and structural thinking so you can focus on competitive positioning and editorial nuance.
Marketing Strategists: From Brainstorm to Broadcast
Marketing strategists wear a dozen hats. Strategy documentation, content calendars, video scripting—it all takes time. Seventy percent said planning and follow-up documentation monopolize their day.
What’s Working:
ChatGPT and Jasper are popular for drafting UVPs, repurposing existing content, and planning scripts.
AI summarization tools are used to quickly capture key insights from workshops or interviews.
Big Opportunity:
Use AI to jumpstart messaging and narrative work so you can focus on refinement and alignment.
Cross-Team Patterns Worth Noting
Across all roles, a few common trends emerged:
AI curiosity is high, but daily usage is low. Many professionals are testing tools, but not yet embedding them into regular workflow.
Repetitive tasks are the top target. From keyword clustering to deck formatting, the more routine the task, the more ripe it is for AI assistance.
Time saved = more time for strategic thinking. The real win isn’t just faster delivery—it’s the shift toward higher-value work.
Final Takeaway
If you're leading a creative or digital team, now is the time to assess your AI-readiness. Encourage your team to test tools, share workflows, and build simple automations that reduce friction in early-stage tasks. The goal? Free up more time for the work that really moves the needle.
Let AI handle the repetition so your team can focus on imagination.